A POLICE officer has been branded a “lunatic” who “endangered lives” after he overtook a group of 100 bikers at speed on a winding road.

The officer, which was caught on camera at the end of the manoeuvre, has been described by witnesses as travelling in excess of 60 mph on the wrong side of a bendy country road – and narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with an oncoming car.

The bikers were on a ‘ride of respect’ for friend Dan Jones, who was killed in a road collision in May. Some told how they were forced to swerve, brake and even mount the verge as the unmarked police car, with sirens blaring moved in and out. The officer then stopped the group on a junction, just outside Milborne St Andrew.

His actions, which did not lead to any biker being sanctioned, left them shaken and angry – and some even abandoned the charitable event as a result.

Former special constable Chris Seagal, founder of the Poole Quay Bikers Trust which organised Monday’s ride out, said: “I think the guy is a lunatic to be honest. The video only shows him overtaking the last four or five bikes – but prior to that he overtook 100 bikes at high speeds on a very bendy road.

“He forced a trike up onto a grass verge and nearly caused a head-on collision with a Volkswagen.

“I am an ex police officer and I know Class 1 drivers are not trained to race at speed around blind bends and endanger lives. He endangered 100 motorcyclists’ lives like that, just on a power trip. It doesn’t bear thinking about what could have happened.”

Chris said the officer told them he had seen a bike cross a solid white line to overtake, and referred to a speeding rider, whom he was unable to identify. He stopped all 10 marshals – sending the rest of the group on without them – and after “a lecture”, let them all on their way.

Sales administrator Rob Smith, 21, who was among the group said: “He was going quick, stupidly quick. It’s seriously lucky no one was hurt. I thought there’d been a really bad accident or something – but all of that was to give the people keeping us safe and looking after us a warning. It’s pathetic.”

Others commenting on the trust’s Facebook page called the police officer’s actions “dangerous” “disgraceful” and “stupid”.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “Dorset Police is committed to making roads safe for everyone. There is an expectation that all road users drive safely, responsibly and within the law. Dorset Police are investigating this incident, having received a letter from a member of the public, and we are therefore unable to comment any further.”